Glasgow Rangers have reportedly been dealt a ‘major blow’ in their pursuit of Nikola Krstovic this summer, although they have set their sights on other targets.

The Lowdown: Rangers interest

It was reported in February that while Rangers are interested in signing Krstovic, they would ‘struggle’ to bring him to Ibrox this summer, as it would take a ‘huge outlay’ to sign him, while also involving selling one of their current options.

His club Dunajska Streda are looking for a fee of between £4m and £5m to sell him, and they are expected to knock back further offers for him in the next transfer window.

Krstovic is seen as a possible replacement at Ibrox for Alfredo Morelos, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

The Latest: ‘Major blow’

As per Football Insider, the Gers have been dealt a ‘major blow’ in their efforts to sign Krstovic, as he has recently put pen to paper on a new contract with his current club, that will run until 2027.

They have watched him on a number of occasions, and have kept track of him over the last 18 months, but his club made it clear in the January transfer window that he was not for sale.

Nonetheless, the Light Blues have ‘set their sights’ on signing multiple strikers in the summer, with Bordeaux forward Josh Maja, who is running out of contract, another player that they have a ‘genuine interest’ in.

He is thought to be a ‘top target’, with the future of Alfredo Morelos still ‘in doubt’ with his deal also set to expire.

The Verdict: Plenty of names out there…

The Teddy Bears have been linked with plenty of strikers outside of Krstovic and Maja for next summer.

They have also recently been credited with an interest in Swansea City forward Joel Piroe, while Malik Tillman is an attacker that they could look to sign permanently from Bayern Munich once his loan spell ends at the end of the season.

Nonetheless, should Morelos end up leaving on a free transfer, it will be difficult to replace the 122 goals that he has scored over the years at Rangers, so they may have to bring in more than one striker this summer in order to help fill the hole left by the Colombia international.

The Gers may struggle to do this financially though, with no transfer fee coming in for Morelos.

Everton finally return to domestic football tonight, with international duty over and the realities of their relegation battle back to haunt them.

However, it is not quite the dismal picture that it once was, as Sean Dyche's introduction has marked a sharp upturn in form that had seen them clamber out from the drop zone. Wins for AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United over the weekend have now seen them return, but tonight's clash with Tottenham Hotspur marks a fine opportunity to once again leapfrog them.

With no permanent manager set to share the dugout with the former Burnley boss, it adds another challenging dynamic to an already tricky fixture under floodlights at Goodison Park.

However, it is likely these factors that will instigate a thunderous atmosphere on Merseyside.

From their last match, a fine 2-2 draw at Chelsea, few is expected to change, but the Lilywhites pose a wholly different threat to the Blues. As such, perhaps Dyche will seek to seize the initiative tonight, and instead of employing someone like Ben Godfrey again, Vitaliy Mykolenko could instead take his place as a more natural full-back.

Will Vitaliy Mykolenko play against Spurs?

There will be great demand for Ellis Simms to earn his place in the starting lineup following his stunning late equaliser against the west London outfit.

Indeed, the young forward finally opened his account for the senior side in that clash, making a mockery of Kalidou Koulibaly before finding the net in a way that neither Neal Maupay nor Dominic Calvert-Lewin have managed this term.

That said, there should also be a clamour for Mykolenko to start as he will likely have a far greater bearing on the result.

The Ukrainian missed some of their recent games through illness, he has easily recovered since then. In fact, the 23-year-old even featured in his country's defeat to England, battling well with an imperious Bukayo Saka.

Now, he could earn a recall in an effort to neutralise Spurs' biggest asset in their wing-backs; especially their new man Pedro Porro on the right flank.

Having joined in January, Tottenham's Spaniard has grown more and more competent within their system with each passing game week. Should Godfrey continue at full-back, it would essentially be an admittance that they will not be attacking down that wing.

However, by instead starting Mykolenko, it injects some danger into the proceedings as the former Sporting CP man cannot roam freely down his flank. The youngster must be wary of where his opposite number is, and as such it could see their biggest threat neutered.

As such, it could leave the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son isolated up front, which Dyche will likely hope to ensure.

Not only this but the 5 foot 11 left back does boast some dependable statistics that suggest he would hardly offer a downgrade to the natural centre-back he would replace. This campaign he has averaged 2.5 clearances, 1.2 interceptions and 1.6 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

It also must not be forgotten just how important the £58k-per-week dynamo became during their toughest run of fixtures last season, where he made himself an "Everton hero" with a thunderous volley at Leicester City, according to journalist Joe Thomas.

Perhaps he could seek to recapture that form tonight against tough opposition, and once again play a huge role in avoiding the drop.

Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson has argued that Chelsea January signing Benoit Badiashile should have been included in their Champions League squad for the rest of the season.

What happened with Chelsea's Champions League registration?

Chelsea's busy January transfer window saw them sign six first-team players, and as only three could be registered for the Champions League by UEFA rules, at least three had to miss out.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was among those unregistered to make room for Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez, but there was no room for the centre-back from Monaco.

Badiashile has performed well in an otherwise struggling Chelsea side since his arrival, and it has now been claimed that he should have been included in the Champions League squad.

Chelsea knocked out Borussia Dortmund to set up a quarter-final tie against Real Madrid, and the 21-year-old could be a big miss against the European champions.

Speaking on Football Daily's YouTube channel, Thomlinson praised the performances of Badiashile before expressing his frustration over his exclusion from the European squad.

He said: "I actually think the best under-21 [talent] at the club right now is big Benoit Badiashile, who I think is sensational.

"It's so hard to find a left-footed centre-back that is comfortable on the ball and physical enough to play in the Premier League – let alone aged 21.

"He has come in from Monaco, where he was having a really, really good season and been a bit of a gamechanger.

"Chelsea have been a mess, but they've [mainly] been a mess in attacking areas. I think by goals conceded, they are third or fourth in the league, and I think Badiashile has played a part in that.

"I think for him to miss out on the Champions League squad was pretty disgraceful, I think he should have been in, I really do.

"You look at some of his underlying numbers, especially his passing range for a player that is such a unit… he's so intelligent, so silky on the ball, his first touch is brilliant.

"I think he has a massive, massive future at the club."

Should Badiashile have been included?

Although his performances have been impressive – ranking highly amongst his peers for progressive passes and aerial duels over the past year as per FBref – the £90k-per-week Frenchman was merely just a victim of circumstance.

Both Fernandez and Mudryk arrived for extraordinarily high transfer fees, meaning that neither were likely to be excluded, whilst loanee Joao Felix was virtually guaranteed to be included given the short-term nature of his deal.

Chelsea had Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marc Cucurella in the squad as centre-back options for the knockout stages, meaning that they were well-stocked without Badiashile.

Therefore, the centre-back was perhaps always unlikely to be included ahead of an attacker, and Badiashile's exclusion was simply poor luck rather than a reflection of his ability. And given they have scraped through to the quarter-finals, Graham Potter won't be regretting his decision just yet.

Aaron Finch, who until January this year, was Australia’s T20I captain, has said that he isn’t sure of his place in the side when Australia take on New Zealand in their opening match of the World T20 on Friday

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Mar-20160:43

‘I’m just getting prepared to play as everyone is’ – Finch

Aaron Finch, who had been Australia’s T20 captain until January, has said that he isn’t sure of making the XI when Australia take on New Zealand in their opening match of the World T20 in Dharamsala on Friday.”I’ve got no idea, to be honest,” Finch said. “I’m just getting prepared to play as everyone is. I’m sure the selectors will make a call once they see the wicket.”Finch is vying for the second opener’s slot in the team, considering Shane Watson’s good form and all-round skills makes him a certainty as first opener. Watson struck a blistering century in the third T20I against India earlier this year and also enjoyed a decent run in the Pakistan Super League. More recently, he scored 60 in a World T20 warm-up tie against West Indies.Finch, who is the No. 1-ranked T20I batsman, faces stiff competition from Khawaja, who was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2015-16 Big Bash League. Khawaja has also done well in Indian conditions – he scored 267 runs at 66.75 in four List A matches for Australia A last year in a triangular series, also involving South Africa A.Finch, while not as consistent, has notched up a few good scores of his own, including an 18-ball 40 against South Africa in Durban. “I feel really good with my game at the moment,” he said. “I feel as though I’m hitting the ball really well, so if I get the first crack at it, I’m ready to go.”We get up there (Dharamshala) on Tuesday, train on Wednesday and Thursday, so we’ll probably have a really good chance to have a look at the wicket then and the guys (selectors) can make a decision then.”If the selectors do opt for Khawaja, it would give Australia a left-right opening combination. “It’s probably less important in the first six overs, the left hand-right hand combination,” Finch said. “From my point of view, it’s about trying to get us off to a quick start. I’m sure Shane (Watson) is thinking the same and Uzzie (Khawaja) is probably in the same boat.”If Khawaja gets his opportunity, it’s about getting us off to a flyer while the ball is new and hard and then you can afford to probably have a bit more of a look through that middle period when spin comes on and they take the pace right off the ball.”Josh Hazlewood felt similar pressure over his place in the XI despite a hat-trick against West Indies.Australia have four specialist seamers in their squad – Hazlewood, John Hastings, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Andrew Tye – and seam-bowling allrounders in James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh and Watson. With an eye on the conditions, Hazlewood suggested that the think-tank may be happy with just one frontline fast bowler.”It could be as simple as that. Depending on the wicket, it could really be one quick and a bunch of allrounders who do play this format a lot of the time,” Hazlewood said. Australia may also want to accommodate Ashton Agar or Adam Zampa to take advantage of slow, spin-friendly pitches.A player forcing his way into the XI after missing out initially is an unlikely scenario according to Hazlewood, given the shorter duration of the World T20.”The one-day World Cup, it went a little bit longer – six weeks,” he said. “If you get that first opportunity and take it in this one, we’ve got four games in pretty quick time. So I don’t think there will be as much chopping and changing, but in saying that it depends on the conditions at each ground.”

Ahead of South Africa’s departure for the World T20, coach Russell Domingo feels that his side’s consistency in the shortest format will hold them in good stead at the tournament

Firdose Moonda10-Mar-20164:14

‘We have to learn from our mistakes’ – Du Plessis

For all the unwanted accolades Russell Domingo earned this summer – he oversaw South Africa’s longest winless streak in Test cricket since readmission in which they were also bowled out for their two lowest scores – he remains their most successful major tournament coach and therein lies the chance for him to declare this season a success. Domingo has been in charge for two ICC tournaments, the World T20 in 2014 and the 2015 World Cup. South Africa reached the semi-finals in both tournaments and he has reason to believe they can go one, or even two better at the World T20 in India.”We’ve got a chance. We are one of the most consistent sides in this format. We can go there very confident,” Domingo said on the eve of South Africa’s departure for India. “We have prepared very well. We have some of the best players in the world. We’ve got a seriously good side. We’ll be there and thereabouts.”Cleared action doesn’t guarantee Phangiso spot in XI

Despite having his bowling action declared legal, Aaron Phangiso may still be on the sidelines for the World T20, as he was during the 2015 World Cup. Phangiso was the only member of South Africa’s 2015 party who did not play a single game and has since struggled to establish himself against an array of personal problems. He remains back-up to Imran Tahir.
“I can’t guarantee anybody a spot. We need to get there and play our best starting XI,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach said.
Phangiso’s remodeled action has not yet been tested in international cricket. He was rushed through two tests after being reported for a suspect action during a domestic game last month. Phangiso’s action was found to be illegal after a first round of tests.
Domingo explained Phangiso will get a chance to put his new action to the test in the warm-up matches before South Africa decide on their final XI.
Phangiso is one of only two black African players in the squad and there could be pressure to play him as the country’s sports minister got involved in the controversy around the bowler’s action.

South Africa signed off on their home season with a 2-1 series defeat to Australia, but victories over England and India in India in the shortest format would seem to put them among the favourites. However, a difficult few months headlined by Test defeats and talk of AB de Villiers’ workload management means they will fly under the radar for a change and Domingo is quite happy with that. “We are all pretty chilled. I don’t think there is a weight of expectation around our team or any of the teams because of the nature of the competition,” he said.The structure of the tournament – two groups of five teams with each team playing each other only once – means the chances of slipping up are greater, so Domingo is encouraging his team to “keep it simple,” and not look for a special formula. “You can’t get too fancy, you can’t get too funky. There is no magic wand to wave. The sides that do the basics really well in high-pressure games, they usually come out on top,” he said.South Africa were that side for five successive limited-overs matches at home when they came from behind to beat England 3-2 in an ODI series and win the first two T20s. All those wins and the first against Australia came chasing, which has allowed South Africa to bury one ghost but resurrect another. “We’ve chased really well which is a big bonus but we need to defend a score. We need to find ways of scraping,” Domingo said.Domingo’s way of helping them find that is to ensure they have clarity of thought rather than an overload of technical expertise. “I can’t hit my players if they bowl a no-ball, or slap them on the wrist,” he said. “If you make a mistake, the last thing a player wants to hear is, ‘Why did you bowl that?’ Encouraging them and working on their thought processes is the key. If your thoughts are clear you have got a better chance of executing your plan.”Faf du Plessis has already bought into that philosophy and emphasised that the fundamentals should be South Africa’s focus as they head to into the World T20: “This team has had really good results in the subcontinent but we’ve got some of work to do to make sure we are ready for that first game. We’ve got to work on the basics.”

It is less than a month since Steven Smith took over as Australia’s T20 captain and less than a week since he was leading the Test side back to the top of the ICC rankings in New Zealand. Now Smith is in South Africa, where Australia will play three T20s as part of their preparation for the World T20, which will see them head to India in less than a fortnight’s time.If all that is a bit much to process, it is just the start for Smith, who will have to learn rapidly on the job after replacing Aaron Finch. Smith has captained Australia just once previously in T20 – although he has led Sydney Sixers and Rajasthan Royals in the Big Bash and IPL respectively – and must quickly sort through pressing questions of selection and strategy as he looks to make the team challengers at a tournament they have never previously won.The decision by Australia’s selectors to make Smith captain in all three formats came after they had been whitewashed 3-0 at home to India, and followed an observation by Shane Watson – who stood in for the injured Finch, with Smith already in New Zealand, for the third T20 against India – that a lack of continuity had been hurting their chances.Smith, who has made a smooth ascent in Test and ODI cricket as Michael Clarke’s successor, is the man charged with getting Australia pulling in the right direction in time for the World T20 – a job complicated by having to try and settle on an ideal XI in South Africa, where conditions will differ markedly from those likely to be encountered in India. It may not be the ideal scenario but Smith was focused on getting as much out of the trip as possible after arriving in Durban.”For us it’s about playing some T20 cricket together, we haven’t played a great deal of T20 over the last couple of years so it’s a great opportunity for us to try and gel together as a unit before the World Cup,” Smith said. “Hopefully the South African curators can try and make the pitches a little bit slow and turning, I think that would benefit both sides, so we’ll wait and see what they come up with.”Smith only played in the first match against India and said the series defeat was “in the past”. Australia have included three players uncapped in T20 – wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa – in their 15-man squad and must try to settle on an ideal batting order, with Finch, Watson, Usman Khawaja and David Warner all competing to open.”It’s about moving forward and trying to get everything going in the right direction before the World Cup,” Smith said. “We’ve got a few options for guys that can open the batting, there’s about four guys vying for a spot there. The bowlers are working hard to get into the eleven but I think it will take a whole squad to win a World Cup.”Despite regular commissions in the IPL, Australia’s players have struggled to make an impact at T20’s global showpiece, with just one final appearance in five attempts, and Smith conceded that the game had moved on apace since he helped take the Sixers to the 2011-12 Big Bash title in his first taste of captaincy.”I think it’s changed a lot, guys have got so many different deliveries nowadays – slower-ball bouncers, wide yorkers, different kinds of slower balls, things like that. Guys are able to hit the ball 360 degrees, which is hard to stop. I just think the game has changed so much, it’s moving forward and that’s great.”One of those “hard to stop” guys is AB de Villiers, whose outlandish talents were to the fore in South Africa’s most recent T20, a nine-wicket win over England. De Villiers, now opening the batting in T20, crashed 71 off 29 balls and Smith suggested Australia would be trying to come up with a containment strategy for him.”It’s very difficult to do, he’s one of the most destructive – if not the most destructive – batsman in the world and he does hit the ball 360 degrees, so when he is going he’s very tough to stop,” Smith said. “We’re going to have a few plans in place for him that will hopefully work, but he’s a terrific player and very hard to stop.”South Africa have been on an upward surge in limited-overs cricket, winning five matches in a row against England. In contrast to Australia, they have recently tasted success over India – winning the T20 and ODI legs on last year’s tour – and they will be further boosted by the return of Dale Steyn from a shoulder problem. Australia, meanwhile, expect Finch, Watson, James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile to be available for the first match on Friday after recent injuries.”They’re a very good T20 team, they’ve got some class players that can take the game away from you very quickly,” Smith said. “So, for us, we want to win every series we play and I guess in the back of our minds we know there’s a World Cup not long away. But it’s about focusing on this series and trying to do what we can to win.”

The last time South Africa were in Nagpur they lost a Test in three days and with it their No 1 status, but they are pleased to be back with West Indies their next World Twenty20 opponents

Firdose Moonda23-Mar-2016Given what happened to South Africa the last time they were in Nagpur, in November 2015, you would think it is the last place they would want to return to. Especially so soon. But you would be wrong.”That was a Test match and this was T20 cricket. It’s a totally different format,” said Imran Tahir, who was part of the South Africa side that lost by 124 runs and in so doing lost the series and their No.1 ranking. “And if you look at our record in T20 cricket, we’ve been pretty solid and playing really good cricket for the last year and a half. That gives us a lot of confidence.”Even those who were on the trip, like coach Russell Domingo, are not haunted by the ghosts of four months ago. “At least the Test match was only three days so the memories don’t last too long,” Domingo joked, preferring to remember a happier time in Nagpur in 2011. “South Africa played a World Cup game here and chased 300 against India. Some of the guys from then are in this squad so there are some good memories.”South Africa’s attack have had their fill of the batsmen-friendly Wankhede and would prefer something that does not work against them as much. Nagpur’s deck does not immediately resemble their kind of surface and Domingo has even used the loaded word “interesting” to describe it. He hopes South Africa will have an advantage because of one man. “Imran Tahir on good wickets is a handful. Hopefully on a wicket that assists him, he will be a matchwinner,” Domingo said.Tahir himself did well to brush off any added expectation, especially in the absence of South Africa’s part-time spin option JP Duminy, who has been ruled out through injury. “There is no pressure on me. We’ve got players in the squad who can cover him,” he said.Aaron Phangiso seems certain to get a game, his first since he remodelled his action after it was declared illegal and he will be battling nerves of his own. Not only will Phangiso be playing international cricket for the first time in five months but he will have to do it against a line-up that will include Chris Gayle.Domingo had some calming words for his left-arm spinner, based on the conditions. “West Indies are probably the most powerful batting unit in the world in terms of six hitting but this is a big field and this slow wicket might nullify that strength,” he said. “We’ve got no issues with the wicket. We’ve got two world-class spinners in Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso. And we would much rather play West Indies here than in Mumbai.”

Insider Dean Jones has claimed Newcastle United would look to play James Maddison "off the right as a creative outlet" if a transfer is completed this summer.

What's the latest on James Maddison and Newcastle?

It's no secret that the Magpies have been chasing the Leicester City star for some time now. After all, last summer they even put in a few bids, which were reported to be in the region of £50m for the Englishman.

However, those offers were turned down and the 26-year-old even remained with the Foxes even through the recent January transfer market as well.

With that in mind, it remains unclear if Eddie Howe will definitely try to sign Maddison at the end of the season. However, when speaking on the latest episode of Chasing Green Arrows, Jones claimed "there is a chance" that it happens.

What's more, the journalist explained where the midfielder would operate if he did end up joining Newcastle.

In full, Jones said: "There is a chance. They're looking at it. It's a big call for Maddison, where he goes next.

"I think he likes the ambition that Newcastle show. I think there's an obvious role in that team for him.

"From what I understand, Eddie Howe would see him playing off the right as a creative outlet."

Will Maddison be an upgrade on Sean Longstaff?

There has been talk in the media that Newcastle could improve their starting XI by replacing Sean Longstaff. For instance, Gabby Agbonlahor told Football Insider what he thinks needs to happen to help the club go one step further.

He said: “I just feel that if Newcastle can sign a couple of players, maybe a centre-midfielder to go along with Guimaraes, someone else in there with him.

“At the moment, they play Longstaff and he’s done OK, but they can upgrade him."

If Howe feels the same way, he may well view Maddison as the perfect player to come in. After all, the Leicester City man has nine goals and five assists in 21 league games this term, while the Toon midfielder has one goal and three assists in 26.

With that in mind, if Howe wants a more "creative outlet" in his midfield three, it's easy to see why the England international – who currently makes £110,000 per week – is an appealing option.

What's more, Maddison provides great versatility having played in a number of roles over the years, so he could also play on either wing or even as a second striker if needed.

England completed the second-highest successful chase in T20 internationals and the highest in World T20 history to keep their campaign alive

The Report by Firdose Moonda18-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:34

Chappell: Root has a good cricketing brain

England completed the second-highest successful chase in T20 internationals and the highest in World T20 history to keep their campaign alive. They held their nerve chasing 230, thanks to a blistering start from Jason Roy and a clinical innings from Joe Root that ripped South Africa’s attack apart and undid their batsmen’s efforts.Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy all scored half-centuries in a line-up that included AB de Villiers at No. 3 and South Africa would have thought they had enough. Instead, they were left to rue the three overs between 10 and 13, bowled by Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, when South Africa could not find the boundary and scored just 14 runs. Before that, they were 125 for 2; after it, 139 for 3 and it was the difference between a score under 250 and one greater than. In the end, South Africa needed the latter.On a night when no one wanted to be a bowler, the England seamers’ scattergun approach was nullified by South Africa’s overcompensation in bowling too straight, as well as some ill discipline. While England only gave away two wides, South Africa donated 20. An England line-up whose approach is built on aggression punished them for that.Given the magnitude of their task, England showed intent from the first ball. Jason Roy swung hard at Kagiso Rabada and took 21 runs of the opening over – the most Rabada has conceded in an over in this format.Alex Hales treated Dale Steyn with equal disdain. He sent the first three balls for four, all flicks on the leg side, although he should have been dismissed off the first. Kyle Abbott was at short fine leg and could not hold on. Roy had even less respect for Steyn. He finished the over with 10 runs off two balls to take England to 44 after two overs, the most runs off 12 balls in a T20. It was also Steyn’s most expensive T20I overEngland were running away with it but Abbott made up for his earlier blunder when he had Hales rapped on the pads in front of middle and leg to strike the first blow.Ben Stokes was promoted to No. 3, Roy kept going and South Africa had to turn to death bowling strategies in the Powerplay. Abbott searched for the yorker and found it but when he missed Roy ramped him for six over de Kock’s head. Roy tried to do it again but skied it and de Kock took the catch, ending his contribution at 43 from 16 balls.When Stokes hit a Rabada full toss to the deep square leg boundary, it was advantage South Africa. Although England had more runs than South Africa had after six overs – 89 to 83 – they had already lost three wickets.Imran Tahir was introduced in the seventh over and immediately quietened things down. His opening over cost seven runs without a boundary and, having seen England’s spinners have a similar impact, Faf du Plessis gambled with bringing on Duminy. It paid off as Duminy worked in tandem with Tahir and snaffled Eoin Morgan, who chopped on, to keep the advantage with South Africa at the halfway point. After 10 overs South Africa were 125 for 2; England 118 for 4.But the brakes were slammed on South Africa’s innings then when Rashid and Moeen kept du Plessis and Duminy quiet. In the same period, South Africa used Chris Morris, Duminy and Steyn and the effect was entirely the opposite. England scored 42 runs in those three overs, Morris bowled short balls to his detriment, Root and Jos Buttler finally decided to take on Duminy and Steyn could not scare England into a mistake. The advantage swung. After 13 overs, England were 160 for 4 and the required rate had been dragged down from over 11 to 10.South Africa still had Tahir and he went on to become the only bowler not to concede a boundary on the night, and to remove Buttler, but he lacked support. Morris was South Africa’s weak link and gave Root the full toss that saw him bring up fifty off 30 balls. His was the slowest half-century of the night, after de Kock’s came up off 21 balls, Amla’s off 25 and Duminy’s 26, but it was the one that mattered most.Root took England to within 11 runs of victory before he swatted Rabada to deep midwicket and left it for Moeen to finish off. England lost two more wickets before they got there, but they won’t dwell on those late nerves.They will, however, want to address their own bowling lapses and a messy fielding performance that saw them on the received end of a total in excess of 220 for the fourth time. Reece Topley offered too much width even as Morgan refused to put a fielder at point to allow de Kock to hit him through there three times. De Kock was even more severe on Willey and forced Morgan to introduce a spinner in the Powerplay.Amla had only faced three balls by the time Moeen came on but already had his eye in. Amla found two boundaries before he should have been caught at mid-off but Topley, perhaps still recovering from his own mauling, spilled the chance. Jordan and Stokes could not find control and England conceded 81 runs in the five overs after Willey’s first had gone for two.Rashid was introduced as soon as the fielding restrictions were lifted but did not immediately appear a threat. De Kock used his first ball to bisect the men in the deep and bring up his first T20I fifty but did not add many more to his total. He picked out the fielder at deep midwicket to allow South Africa to unleash de Villiers on the perfect platform.The innings seemed to be playing to script when de Villiers smacked successive sixes but his show was short lived. Instead it was Amla and then Duminy who kept South Africa going. They scored 90 runs off the last seven overs but on a small field, a good pitch and against a bloody-minded England, it was not enough.

Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams will be missing for this weekend’s Premier League meeting with Wolves, Phil Hay reports.

The Lowdown: Immediate impact

Adams arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer and made a positive first impression at Elland Road, with Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton heaping praise on the player for how he transitioned from the Bundesliga to Premier League football. He has been a regular since, turning out on 26 occasions in all competitions so far, 24 of which have come in the top flight.

The 24-year-old also captained the USA at the World Cup, helping his country into the last 16 after qualifying from the group behind England. His display in the group clash with England resulted in praise from both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, who labelled him ‘bright’ and ‘excellent’.

Adams has continued to feature heavily for Leeds since returning from the World Cup, but now looks set to be absent on Saturday.

The Latest: Injury update

Hay took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon to relay an update from Elland Road regarding Adams.

He stated that the midfielder ‘has suffered a hamstring injury in training and will miss Saturday’s game at Wolves’, adding that Adams is ‘also ruled out of international duty with the USA.’ The reliable reporter described it as ‘a blow to Javi Gracia’.

The Verdict: Not good

Adams has mainly played alongside Marc Roca this season, although fellow countryman Weston McKennie arrived in Yorkshire late in the January window.

As per WhoScored, Adams has outperformed both Roca and McKennie and currently ranks in the top five performers at Elland Road this season. He has averaged more passes per game than any of his teammates and also ranks highly when it comes to tackles, interceptions and key passes made per 90.

Therefore, you can see why Hay has described it as a ‘blow’ for Gracia, who will need to find a quick solution to the problem over the coming days.

Roca and McKennie may well get the nod in a two-man midfield with Adams sidelined and Adam Forshaw still yet to return. In truth, that is the only real senior option Gracia has, unless he goes with teenager Darko Gyabi who arrived from Manchester City in the summer.

It is a key game in Leeds’ season, knowing a win could take them from 19th to as high as 14th, should results go their way, so being without Adams isn’t ideal, but it is something Gracia and his squad now have to deal with.